That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees

[YosefHayim]

So recently I decided I wanted to memorize the sermon on the mount from Matthew. And taking it a chapter at a time I only have Chapter 5 memorized (Glory to God). It's cool, because memorizing it allows you to speak it and think it harder at the same time. Thus it's like a broader picture is seen, and more things come to mind.

So a few minutes ago, I decided to recite it. And as I came to the phrase that goes "For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees, ye shall in no case enter the kingdom of heaven."

I stopped as a thought ran through my mind.

So at a first glance one might think this is talking about some sort of work that one must do. It says unless your righteousness exceeds that of those religious leaders. So how are we more righteous than the pharisees?

Well understand the pharisees. Jesus said to the pharisees "If you loved God, you would love me. But you are of your father the devil, for his language is lies and he is the father of lies. That is why you don't believe me when I speak the truth"

Jesus also said "for if ye believed Moses, ye would believe me."

The pharisees did not believe Jesus, so neither did they believe the writings of Moses. Perhaps they would be more like today's nominal Christians?

So we also know that Yeshua pretty much said to the pharisees "Yeah. It's cool and stuff that you tithe, and offer. But you have neglected the much heavier and important things of the law which are grace, mercy, and love."

Paul told us that our faith is accounted for righteousness, and that we are saved by faith alone.

It is also Christ who sanctifies us through our faith and frees us from our sins.

So how does our righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees? Faith. We need to have faith in Jesus Christ. Not just some superstitious belief as 4 leaf clovers bring us luck and knocking on wood protects you. But a true heart-felt faith that acknowledges that one is a sinner in need of a savior. The faith that believes that Jesus Christ is messiah, Son of God, and that he was who he said he was, and that he is risen from the grave. For Jesus also said "the work of God is to believe in the one that he sent." And he also said "Seek ye the kingdom of God, and these things will be added to you". How can they be added unless the incorruptible Jesus Christ has reconciled us through faith and we are born again?

Thoughts?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

So how does our righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees?

The Pharisees had an external righteousness--what is called the righteousness of law. They looked good on the outside, but they were full of all kinds of evil on the inside. Faith in the forgiveness of God in Christ purifies the heart, not just the body. That is the righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees and which truly satisfies the law.

He gives the examples of murder and adultery. Simply not taking the physical life of another, but hating them in your heart is the righteousness of the Pharisee. And simply not physically sleeping with another man's wife, but lusting after her in your heart is the righteousness of the Pharisee. But the righteousness of faith is greater in that it does not hate in one's heart, nor does it covet another man's wife--both of which are commanded in the law, but which the Pharisees failed to uphold. They only kept the external requirements of the law. They had an outward righteousness. The righteousness of faith is a greater righteousness because it does not annul any of the commands of the law, even the least or seemingly less significant of God's commands, among them the ones that govern the heart.

19 "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: NASB)

 

[YosefHayim]

They only kept the external requirements of the law. They had an outward righteousness.

They also more so kept commandments of men as well. (Mark 7:8)

 

[Jethro Bodine]

"Ouch! You really need to get that step fixed!"

"I know, I know."

 

[JLB]

The Pharisees had an external righteousness--what is called the righteousness of law. They looked good on the outside, but they were full of all kinds of evil on the inside. Faith in the forgiveness of God in Christ purifies the heart, not just the body. That is the righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees and which truly satisfies the law.

He gives the examples of murder and adultery. Simply not taking the physical life of another, but hating them in your heart is the righteousness of the Pharisee. And simply not physically sleeping with another man's wife, but lusting after her in your heart is the righteousness of the Pharisee. But the righteousness of faith is greater in that it does not hate in one's heart, nor does it covet another man's wife--both of which are commanded in the law, but which the Pharisees failed to uphold. They only kept the external requirements of the law. They had an outward righteousness. The righteousness of faith is a greater righteousness because it does not annul any of the commands of the law, even the least or seemingly less significant of God's commands, among them the ones that govern the heart.

19 "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: NASB)

Inward or outward righteousness that is of our own is as filthy rags.

If we are trying to obtain right standing with God by our own righteousness whether it is inwardly or outwardly, we are lost.

We are able to stand before God by the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

Any righteousness that is expressed through our life that does not come from Him, that does not come from faith is sin.


JLB

 

[Brother Mike]

Inward or outward righteousness that is of our own is as filthy rags.

If we are trying to obtain right standing with God by our own righteousness whether it is inwardly or outwardly, we are lost.

We are able to stand before God by the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

Any righteousness that is expressed through our life that does not come from Him, that does not come from faith is sin.


JLB

Right, Righteousness just means "Right Standing With" Without faith it's impossible to please God, no matter how good you are.
Jesus told us also to seek the Righteousness of God. The righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith. We see God's standing and integrity with us as we trust and believe him, and know He never fails and always comes through.

We receive from God based on our understanding of just how right we are with him.

If your right with someone, you always come first in their life.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
(Luk 2:52)

Just as Jesus did not have the full righteousness or favor of God when He started out, He did the things that pleased the Father and was increased more and more. Jesus did not start out with full Favor, just like us. We need to follow what the Master did, to get to the place He came to, to be like Him.

And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
(Joh 8:29)

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
(Mat 25:21)

Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
(1Sa 2:30)

Some wonder why they are defeated all the time in life, but you find find those same people saying God will allow some to be sick, they believe God gave permission to the devil to destroy Job whom did nothing wrong in the eyes of God, (did give place to the devil though, not God's fault) they accuse
God of doing nothing to save a loved one.

This is not honoring someone, nor thinking someone is faithful and never fails.

The religious leaders of Jesus day, did nothing to gain the favor of God, or even have faith in God. Faith in someone knows they always come through, with results better than we can ask or think. (Eph 3:20)

Blessings.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Inward or outward righteousness that is of our own is as filthy rags.

I was careful to qualify the inward righteousness as the righteousness of faith--the right doing that comes from faith in the forgiveness of God in Christ.

If we are trying to obtain right standing with God by our own righteousness whether it is inwardly or outwardly, we are lost.

That's the thing about inward righteousness, inward right doing for fallen man--there's no such thing. It can scarcely even be faked. The heart is what fallen man simply has little to no control over. But outward righteousness can be faked and easily deceive us into thinking we are righteous before God.

Any righteousness that is expressed through our life that does not come from Him, that does not come from faith is sin.

I think that's being a little extreme, but I know what you're trying to say.

But anyway, Paul was not saying that doing right things because you can, in and of yourself, is equivalent to sin (the context shows us what he was talking about). But surely, boasting that you are righteous because of what you can do right, in and of yourself, would surely be a sin. But that's not what Paul was addressing there in Romans 14:23 NASB.

 

[JLB]

Jethro said -

I was careful to qualify the inward righteousness as the righteousness of faith--the right doing that comes from faith in the forgiveness of God in Christ.

The righteous works that spring forth from the new nature we have, that obeys the leading of the Spirit.

Jethro said -

I think that's being a little extreme, but I know what you're trying to say.

But anyway, Paul was not saying that doing right things because you can, in and of yourself, is equivalent to sin (the context shows us what he was talking about). But surely, boasting that you are righteous because of what you can do right, in and of yourself, would surely be a sin. But that's not what Paul was addressing there in Romans 14:23 NASB.

Dead works are those works that we do that are outside the leading of the Spirit.

Of course God does not expect as much from baby Christians as older ones, however, its walking in the footsteps He has ordered, aligning and synchronizing our inner man with His leading, so that we are indeed led by His spirit.

Trying to do good things are always a step in the right direction, however if we are going to be led by His Spirit, it will take a strong commitment to remain consecrated unto Him, set apart to Him.

Learning to fast and pray in the Spirit, and becoming more and more sensitive to His leading and to His Voice...


Some people might have thought it extreme for Elisha to bust up his oxen's equipment and boil them, as a sign of his commitment to Elijah to never go back to that life.

It sure paid off for him.


JLB

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Dead works are those works that we do that are outside the leading of the Spirit.

I'm thinking sin is what the Bible calls 'dead works', not calls any good work done by anybody in and of themselves for no particular spiritual reason 'dead works'. The only time I can think doing that would be considered 'dead work' is if that person attempts to lay claim to being righteous because of that good work. Then it is a damnable 'dead' work of the flesh.

Any person who does a good work not done as a direct result of the Spirit will obviously not be condemned by the evil work that good work replaced. So that work is only dead in that it can not be used as a claim to righteousness.

It should be noted that faith can be dead. Faith that does not have works attached is dead faith.

 

[JLB]

I'm thinking sin is what the Bible calls 'dead works', not calls any good work done by anybody in and of themselves for no particular spiritual reason 'dead works'. The only time I can think doing that would be considered 'dead work' is if that person attempts to lay claim to being righteous because of that good work. Then it is a damnable 'dead' work of the flesh.

Any person who does a good work not done as a direct result of the Spirit will obviously not be condemned by the evil work that good work replaced. So that work is only dead in that it can not be used as a claim to righteousness.

It should be noted that faith can be dead. Faith that does not have works attached is dead faith.

Dead works are those done without faith or not from faith.

Faith comes by hearing God...

A living faith is expressed by the works of obedience, that of carrying out what God has said.

Example of a dead work.

God tells you to pass out tracts in front of the crack house.

Instead you bake some cookies for the bake sale to raise money for the new church addition.


JLB

 

[Deborah13]

YLT
Mat 23:23 `Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye give tithe of the mint, and the dill, and the cumin, and did neglect the weightier things of the Law--the judgment, and the kindness, and the faith; these it behoved you to do, and those not to neglect.
Mat 23:24 `Blind guides! who are straining out the gnat, and the camel are swallowing.
Mat 23:25 `Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye make clean the outside of the cup and the plate, and within they are full of rapine and incontinence.
Mat 23:26 `Blind Pharisee! cleanse first the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside of them also may become clean.

3Jn 1:2 beloved, concerning all things I desire thee to prosper, and to be in health, even as thy soul doth prosper,

Is not the soul the inside of the cup?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Dead works are those done without faith or not from faith.

Faith comes by hearing God...

A living faith is expressed by the works of obedience, that of carrying out what God has said.

Example of a dead work.

God tells you to pass out tracts in front of the crack house.

Instead you bake some cookies for the bake sale to raise money for the new church addition.


JLB

So it's a sin for me, or anyone else, even an unbeliever, to NOT run over an old lady in the street simply because I did not want to do that?

 

[JLB]

So it's a sin for me, or anyone else, even an unbeliever, to NOT run over an old lady in the street simply because I did not want to do that?

That would be murder.

Murder was a sin in the beginning.

Remember, Cain murdered Able, and it didn't go well for him.


JLB

 

[JLB]

So it's a sin for me, or anyone else, even an unbeliever, to NOT run over an old lady in the street simply because I did not want to do that?

Getting back to dead works.

Did you understand the difference in the two "good' works that I gave as an example?


Example of a dead work.

God tells you to pass out tracts in front of the crack house.

Instead you bake some cookies for the bake sale to raise money for the new church addition.


One was of these is a work of faith.

The other is a dead work.

Can you see which one is which?


JLB

 

[Jethro Bodine]

That would be murder.

Murder was a sin in the beginning.

Remember, Cain murdered Able, and it didn't go well for him.


JLB

I asked if it's a sin for me, or anyone else, even an unbeliever, to NOT run over an old lady simply because we do not want to. It's a good deed but one that is neither motivated by evil, nor righteous good. But apparently you think that since God's not in it, it is a sinful dead work.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Getting back to dead works.

Did you understand the difference in the two "good' works that I gave as an example?


Example of a dead work.

God tells you to pass out tracts in front of the crack house.

Instead you bake some cookies for the bake sale to raise money for the new church addition.


One was of these is a work of faith.

The other is a dead work.

Can you see which one is which?


JLB

Both examples are dead works for the person who does them if they do them for the purpose of being declared righteous before God by them. But in and of themselves they are not dead works because in and of themselves they are not sinful works.

 

[Brother Mike]

I asked if it's a sin for me, or anyone else, even an unbeliever, to NOT run over an old lady simply because we do not want to. It's a good deed but one that is neither motivated by evil, nor righteous good. But apparently you think that since God's not in it, it is a sinful dead work.

I read through this. That is not what JLB is saying. Fruitful works produce something for the kingdom. (GOD GIVEN DIRECTION THROUGH the Holy Spirit only!!!)

Dead works are good things even scriptural, but it's something we planned and thought good. LIKE OPENING A FOOD PANTRY when the Lord never mentioned a food pantry.

Scripture also talks about our reasonable service in a few places. LIKE work unto God and not men. See a brother and sister in need and helping them. These are paid back out of debt. Expected works.

 

[YosefHayim]

I asked if it's a sin for me, or anyone else, even an unbeliever, to NOT run over an old lady simply because we do not want to. It's a good deed but one that is neither motivated by evil, nor righteous good. But apparently you think that since God's not in it, it is a sinful dead work.

Maybe she was on her way to a psycho murder, and hitting her would have stopped her. (Just kidding)

 

[jocor]

Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.​

This robe of righteousness is a gift from Yahweh for all those who put their faith in His Son Yeshua. It exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees.

 

[jocor]

Another thought came to me after I posted.

1Co 1:30 But of him are you in Messiah Yeshua, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Messiah have put on Messiah.​

To put on Messiah, who is made righteousness unto us, is to put on the robe of righteousness Isaiah 61:10 spoke of.